Tree Topper Support Device

ABSTRACT

A tree topper support device for securing a topping ornament to a tree having a trunk includes an elongated rod with at least two through-holes sized to receive flexible ties, an ornament receiving member, and a sleeve coupled to the ornament receiving member. The sleeve is configured to receive an end of the elongated rod. The ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material configured to deform when a mounting cage of the topping ornament is placed onto the ornament receiving member so as to secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/220,633 filed Jul. 12, 2021 (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to tree topper support devices and, more particularly, to a tree topper support device for affixing topping ornaments to a tree, such as a Christmas tree.

BACKGROUND

When decorating a Christmas tree it is common to place a star, angel, or other decorative ornament (collectively referred to as a “topping ornament”) at the top of the Christmas tree. Often the topping ornament will have some type of ring, tube, clamp or other device configured to affix the topping ornament to the top of the tree. The top of the tree is where the trunk is very narrow (thin) and often will not have a singular stalk, but may have multiple terminating stalks that make it difficult to precisely attach the topping ornament. The tree trunk at the top may also be so narrow as to have very little structural rigidity. Consequently, when the topping ornament is placed on the tree trunk at the top, the tree trunk and the topping ornament will bend to one side instead of remaining aligned with the longitudinal axis of the Christmas tree. This bending condition is not aesthetically pleasing and may cause the topping ornament to fall off the Christmas tree.

What is needed, therefore, is a device and method to secure a topping ornament to the top of a Christmas tree.

SUMMARY

To these and other ends, in one aspect of the invention a tree topper support device for securing a topping ornament to a tree having a trunk is disclosed. The tree topper support device includes an elongated rod with at least two through-holes sized to receive flexible ties, an ornament receiving member, and a sleeve coupled to the ornament receiving member. The sleeve is configured to receive an end of the elongated rod. The ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material which is configured to deform when a mounting cage of the topping ornament is placed onto the ornament receiving member. They deformation of the ornament receiving member aids in securing the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member. The tree topper support device may further include at least two flexible ties, where each flexible tie is configured to be inserted into each of the at least two through-holes and each flexible tie is sized to wrap around the trunk of the tree to secure the rod thereto.

In one embodiment, a bottom portion of the ornament receiving member includes an internal cavity and the sleeve is disposed within the internal cavity. The end of the elongated rod is disposed inside an internal bore in the sleeve to thereby couple the rod to the ornament receiving member.

In one embodiment, a top portion of the ornament receiving member includes an internal cavity configured to receive the topping ornament. In another embodiment, the ornament receiving member may be generally conically shaped. In yet another embodiment, the ornament receiving member may be made of foam.

In one embodiment, the sleeve is coupled to and extends away from the bottom portion of the ornament receiving member and the end of the elongated rod is disposed inside an internal bore in the sleeve to thereby couple the rod to the ornament receiving member.

In another aspect of the invention, a tree topper support device for securing a topping ornament to a tree having a trunk includes an elongated rod with at least two through-holes, an ornament receiving member having a bottom portion with an internal cavity, where the ornament receiving member is generally conically shaped. The tree topper support device further includes a sleeve disposed within the internal cavity of the ornament receiving member, where the sleeve has an internal bore. An end of the elongated rod is disposed inside the internal bore to thereby couple the rod to the ornament receiving member. The tree topper support device also includes at least two flexible ties, where each flexible tie is configured to be inserted into one of the at least two through-holes and each flexible tie sized to wrap around the trunk of the tree to secure the rod thereto. The ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material configured to deform when a mounting cage of the topping ornament is placed onto the ornament receiving member so as to secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member. In one embodiment, the ornament receiving member may be made of foam.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of securing a topping ornament to a top of a tree having a trunk is disclosed. The method includes providing a tree topper support device having an ornament receiving member coupled to an elongated rod, securing the rod to the trunk of the tree so that the ornament receiving member is positioned proximate an apex of the tree, and placing the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.

In one embodiment, the elongated rod includes a plurality of through-holes and securing the rod to the trunk of the tree further includes inserting flexible ties through the plurality of through-holes and wrapping the flexible ties around the trunk of the tree.

In one embodiment, the ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material and the topping ornament includes a mounting cage. Attaching the topping ornament further includes placing the mounting cage onto the ornament receiving member to deform the ornament receiving member to thereby secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.

In one embodiment, the ornament receiving member includes an internal cavity with a sleeve therein and an end of the elongated rod is disposed within an internal bore of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings in Appendices A and B, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tree topper support device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the tree topper support device of FIG. 1 with flexible ties inserted into the rod.

FIG. 3 is a disassembled, perspective view of the tree topper support device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the tree topper support device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a tree topper support device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is an elevational view of the tree topper support device affixed to a tree trunk ready to receive an ornament.

FIG. 6B is an elevational view of the tree topper support device affixed to a tree trunk with an ornament mounted on the tree topper support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-4 , a tree topper support device 10 is shown according to one embodiment of the invention. The tree topper support device 10 includes an elongated rod 12 with a series of through-holes 14 through which flexible ties 16 may be inserted therethrough. The flexible ties 16 may be zip ties, wire ties, and the like. The tree topper support device 10 further includes an ornament receiving member 18 having a sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 is inserted into an internal cavity 22 (FIG. 3 ) in the bottom of the ornament receiving member 18. The sleeve 20 includes an internal bore 24 configured to receive an end 26 of the rod 12. The end 26 may be held in the internal bore 24 with an interference fix or with adhesive applied to the end 26 and/or the internal bore 24 to thereby secure the rod 12 to the ornament receiving member 18.

In one embodiment and referring to FIG. 5 , the ornament receiving member 18 may not have the internal cavity 22 and the sleeve 20 is instead affixed to and extends away from the exterior surface of the ornament receiving member 18. In this configuration, the end 26 of the rod 12 is still inserted into the internal bore 24 of the sleeve 20 to couple the ornament receiving member 18 to the rod 12. The sleeve 20 may be secured to the ornament receiving member 18 with suitable fasteners or adhesives.

In one embodiment, the tree topper support device 10 may have an overall length L_(OA) (FIG. 4 ) in the range of 14 inches to 24 inches, preferably in the range of 16 inches to 20 inches, and more preferably about 18 inches. The rod 12 may be made from any suitable material, such as wood, metal, plastic, with a diameter D in the range of ¼ inch to ½ inch, and preferably 5/16 inch. The rod 12 may be of any suitable length L_(R) (FIG. 3 ), such as between 8 and 24 inches, preferably between 12-20 inches, and most preferably between 16 and 17 inches. While the rod 12 is illustrated with six through-holes 14, the rod 12 may have as few as two through-holes 14 and more than six through-holes 14, such as eight or ten through-holes 14. Each through-hole 14 may have a diameter sufficient to allow the flexible tie 16 to pass therethrough, such as a ⅛ inch diameter. Each flexible tie 16 may have a length in the range of 6 inches to 14 inches, more preferably 8 inches to 12 inches, and preferably 10 inches.

In one embodiment, the ornament receiving member 18 is generally conically shaped with a bottom portion 30 and a top portion 32. The top portion 32 may include an internal cavity 34 configured to receive a topping ornament as will be discussed below. With its conical shape, the bottom portion 30 of the ornament receiving member 18 may have a diameter DB in the range of 2 inches to 5 inches and the top portion 32 may have a diameter DT in the range of 1 inches to 3 inches. The ornament receiving member 18 may be made of any suitable material. In an embodiment, the ornament receiving member 18 may be made of a semi-collapsible (flexible) material, such as foam, rubber, or sponge. These types of material will aid in securing a topping ornament to the tree topper support device 10 as will be discussed below.

To help conceal (camouflage) the tree topper support device 10 relative to the tree, such as a Christmas tree, the rod 12 and ornament receiving member 18 may have a dark or even green exterior and have a flat or satin finish. Additionally, the flexible ties 16 may have a dark exterior to conceal them as well.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 6A, and 6B, another aspect of the invention includes a method of securing a topping ornament 40 to a top (apex) 42 of a tree 44 having a trunk 46. In practice, the tree topper support device 10 may be used on a variety of trees. For purposes of the following discussion, the tree topper support device 10 will described whereby the tree 44 is a Christmas tree. The ornament receiving member 18 with the sleeve 20 is placed onto the end 26 of the rod 12. One or more flexible ties 16 may then be inserted into the through-holes 14. The rod 12 is then placed adjacent to and vertically aligned with the trunk 46 of the Christmas tree 44. The rod 12 is located along the trunk 46 so that the ornament receiving member 18 is positioned proximate the top (apex) 42 of the Christmas tree 44. The flexible ties 16 are then wrapped around the trunk 46 so as to secure the tree topper support device 10 in the desired vertical position along the trunk 46 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The topping ornament 40, such as a star or angel, which includes a mounting cage 48 may then be placed onto the ornament receiving member 18 as illustrated in FIG. 6B. With the ornament receiving member 18 made of the semi-collapsible (flexible) material, the mounting cage 48 of the topping ornament 40 may deform the ornament receiving member 18 when the mounting cage 48 is placed onto the ornament receiving member 18. The deformation of the ornament receiving member 18 aids in securing the topping ornament 40 to the ornament receiving member 18. Alternatively, the topping ornament 40 may have a rod extending therefrom that is configured to slide into the internal cavity 34 to thereby secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member 18.

While the tree topper support device 10 has been described specifically for use with a Christmas tree, the tree topper support device 10 may be used with other trees and other settings where one desires to secure a topping ornament 40.

While the invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tree topper support device for securing a topping ornament to a tree having a trunk comprising: an elongated rod with at least two through-holes sized to receive flexible ties; an ornament receiving member; and a sleeve coupled to the ornament receiving member, the sleeve configured to receive an end of the elongated rod; wherein the ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material configured to deform when a mounting cage of the topping ornament is placed onto the ornament receiving member so as to secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.
 2. The tree topper support device of claim 1, further comprising: at least two flexible ties, each flexible tie configured to be inserted into one of the at least two through-holes and each flexible tie sized to wrap around the trunk of the tree to secure the rod thereto.
 3. The tree topper support device of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the ornament receiving member includes an internal cavity and the sleeve is disposed within the internal cavity and wherein the end of the elongated rod is disposed inside an internal bore in the sleeve to thereby couple the rod to the ornament receiving member.
 4. The tree topper support device of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the ornament receiving member includes an internal cavity configured to receive the topping ornament.
 5. The tree topper support device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is coupled to and extends away from a bottom portion of the ornament receiving member and wherein the end of the elongated rod is disposed inside an internal bore in the sleeve to thereby couple the rod to the ornament receiving member.
 6. The tree topper support device of claim 1, wherein the ornament receiving member is generally conically shaped.
 7. The tree topper support device of claim 1, where the ornament receiving member is made of foam.
 8. A tree topper support device for securing a topping ornament to a tree having a trunk comprising: an elongated rod with at least two through-holes sized; an ornament receiving member having a bottom portion with an internal cavity, the ornament receiving member being generally conically shaped; a sleeve disposed within the internal cavity of the ornament receiving member, the sleeve having an internal bore, wherein an end of the elongated rod is disposed inside the internal bore to thereby couple the rod to the ornament receiving member; and at least two flexible ties, each flexible tie configured to be inserted into one of the at least two through-holes and each flexible tie sized to wrap around the trunk of the tree to secure the rod thereto wherein the ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material configured to deform when a mounting cage of the topping ornament is placed onto the ornament receiving member so as to secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.
 9. The tree topper support device of claim 9, wherein the ornament receiving member is made of foam.
 10. A method of securing a topping ornament to a top of a tree having a trunk comprising: providing a tree topper support device having an ornament receiving member coupled to an elongated rod; securing the rod to the trunk of the tree so that the ornament receiving member is positioned proximate an apex of the tree; and placing the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongated rod includes a plurality of through-holes, and the step of securing the rod includes inserting flexible ties through the plurality of through-holes and wrapping the flexible ties around the trunk of the tree.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the ornament receiving member is made of a semi-collapsible material and the topping ornament includes a mounting cage, and the step of attaching the topping ornament includes placing the mounting cage onto the ornament receiving member to deform the ornament receiving member to thereby secure the topping ornament to the ornament receiving member.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the ornament receiving member includes an internal cavity with a sleeve therein and wherein an end of the elongated rod is disposed within an internal bore of the sleeve.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the ornament receiving member is generally conically shaped.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the ornament receiving member is made of foam. 